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Airport workers hope informational picket will help avoid strike

Winnipeg, MB – Unionized workers employed by the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) will hold a demonstration at noon today outside the airport departures level to protest contracting out and to demonstrate support for the bargaining team as they head into mediation.

The two sides are scheduled to meet with a federally appointed mediator next week in a final attempt to reach a tentative agreement and avert strike action. The union would be in a position to strike as of 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017.

“We are extremely concerned with the amount of bargaining unit work that has already been contracted out and the proposal for further contracting out,” said Marianne Hladun, Regional Executive Vice-President, PSAC Prairies. “While there are numerous issues remaining to reach a tentative agreement next week, the biggest hurdle to overcome will be the proposed contracting out of our members’ work.”

Approximately 150 employees—including duty managers, administrative workers, various tradespersons, IT workers, airfield maintenance, and labourers—are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE).

“Bullying and harassment tactics will not scare our members into accepting sub-standard working conditions,” said Teresa Eschuk, Regional Vice-President, UCTE Prairies and North. “Our bargaining team is heading into these mediation talks fully prepared to work long days and nights to achieve a fair collective agreement and avert the need for strike action.”

PSAC represents more than 170,000 workers across Canada, including nearly 8,000 in Manitoba and 150 employees at the Winnipeg Airports Authority. UCTE is a component of PSAC, which represents workers in both the public sector—Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, Parks Canada—and private sector—Airports and NAV Canada.